Hodo gwaja are small, globe-shaped pastries filled with a paste of red beans and crushed nuts.

Travelers in South Korea pick these up at train stations and freeway rest stops, and Cocohodo is the most popular branded chain in the country with more than 200 branches. The company opened its first store in the United States in Irvine, and the first one in Koreatown LA in 2011.

This local branch inside City Center’s Zion Market on the first floor uses California-grown walnuts and the hodu gwaja are made fresh daily. The company emphasizes that no MSG is used in the recipe.

Leftover hodo gwaja stay fresh for up to three days if kept inside a sealed container, such as a ziplock bag. If placed in the refrigerator, it is best to have them naturally cool down to room temperature for 30 minutes or heat them in a microwave for 20 seconds to bring out the flavor.